Nanotyrannus Description
Nanotyrannus was a small, fast tyrannosauroid that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 66 million years ago. It had a large head, long hind legs, and long arms with large hands and claws. While it was once debated if it was a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex, it is now considered a distinct and valid genus.
Could You Outrun a Nanotyrannus?
Nanotyrannus was incredibly fast and could reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. This made it very different to the large and powerful beast being Tyrannosaurus Rex. Nanotyrannus was a fast, nimble hunter with a much smaller bite force of around 8,500 newtons. This opens the possibility of Nanotyrannus simply hunting smaller prey or hunting in medium sized pack of maybe 3-4 Nanotyrannus.
Are You Bigger Than a Nanotyrannus?
Nanotyrannus was tiny compared to the other predators of the late Cretaceous, but on its own was considerably large. It was horse sized at 7 feet tall at the hips, 17 feet long, and weighed around 1 ton. It had longer arms than Tyrannosaurus Rex (relative to body size) and had a slimmer and more narrow head. It likely interacted with Tyrannosaurus Rex with that being in a symbiotic relationship or in a contest for food or territory.
Fun Facts
- Nanotyrannus was just recently reclassified in 2025 as its own genus.
- This discovery was made possible by further research and examination upon the famous dueling dinosaur fossils
- Nanotyrannus has 2 species under its genus.
- Nanotyrannus may always be a controversial genus, as further research may prove this new discovery incorrect, only time will tell!
- Discoveries were made about T-rex based off the assumption Nanotyrannus was a non-valid genus, now those discoveries may prove to be untrue
- Like other small theropods, Nanotyrannus was likely feathered
Dino-mite Equations!
Question #1: How tall would half the height of Nanotyrannus be?
Answer #1
3.5 feet!
Question #2: If a Nanotyrannus bit a dinosaur with bones that could withstand a bite force of 11,300 newtons, would the bones break?
Answer #2
No, the Nanotyrannus could not penetrate the bones of that specific prey!
Question #3: Would a Nanotyrannus beat the fastest (28 mph) person in the world at the race?
Answer #3
Yes!
VelociLogic 